Bovine Arachnids Flashcards
Amblyomma spp.-Common Name
Ixodid ticks–
Lone star tick, Gulf Coast tick, Tropical bont tick, Bont tick
Amblyomma spp.-Hosts
Humans, livestock, dogs, cats
Amblyomma spp.-Identification
Very long palps and hypostome, ornate, banded legs
A. americanum “lone star tick” has single white spot on female scutum
Amblyomma spp.-Life Cycle
ELNA
3 host tick, eggs in environ.
Amblyomma spp.-Site of Infection
Head, ears, and neck
Amblyomma spp.-Pathogenesis and Lesions/Clinical Signs
Long mouthparts = painful bites
Transmits diseases:
-Rickettsial (eg heartwater)
-Hepatozoon americanum by ingestion of A. meculatum
Amblyomma spp.-Diagnosis
Id tick
Amblyomma spp.-Treatment and Prevention
several parasiticides effective, difference if lactating dairy cattle
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp.-Common Names
Blue tick or cattle tick
R. annulatus: cattle fever tick
R. microplus: tropical cattle tick
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp.-Hosts
Cattle, other large hosts
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp.-Identification
Hexagonal basis capituli, prominent dorsal ridges on palps, short hypostome/palps
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp.-Life Cycle
ELNA
1 host tick
do fall off to lay eggs in the environ.
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp.-Site of Infection
Adults on ventral aspects of body
Immatures on ears
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp.-Pathogenesis and Lesions/Clinical Signs
Bovine piroplasmosis/Cattle fever: Babesia bigemina
Gallsickness: Anaplasma marginale
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp.-Diagnosis
Id tick
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp.-Treatment and Prevention
Parasiticides effective, difference if lactating dairy cattle
Suspected tick are submitted/reported to regulatory veterinarian
Otobius spp.-Common Name
Argasids (soft tick)
Spinose ear tick
Otobius spp.-Hosts
Livestock, humans, dogs
Otobius spp.-Identification
Mouthparts not visible from dorsal surface, integument with short sharp spines
Otobius spp.-Life Cycle
ELNA
Larvae and Nymphs on the host in the ear
Adults in the barn–>must treat the barn!
Larvae and nymphs are “taxi-ed” long distaces
Otobius spp.-Site of Infection
Larvae and nymphs in ears
Adults are nonparasitic
Otobius spp.-Pathogenesis and Lesions/Clinical Signs
Large numbers of ticks can cause severe inflammation and rupture ear drum, anemia, loss of conditions
Otobius spp.-Treatment and Prevention
Topical use of acaricidal application in ear canals, treat premises
Otobius spp.-Diagnosis
Id tick
Sarcoptes scabiei-Common Name
Sarcoptic mange mite, itch mite, neck and tail mite
Sarcoptes scabiei-Hosts
All domestic animals and humans–>largely host specific
*Zoonosis
Sarcoptes scabiei-Identification
Round, 500um, short legs
Sarcoptes scabiei-Life Cycle
ELNA
Tunnel in the epidermis, resurface and burrow again
Entirely on host
Sarcoptes scabiei-Site of Infection
Epidermal layers of skin
Sarcoptes scabiei-Pathogenesis and Lesions/Clinical Signs
Potentially most severe cattle mange
Mild infection–scaly skin
Severe infection–thickened skin, downgrading of hides, drop in meat and milk production
Sarcoptes scabiei-Diagnosis
Skin scraping
Sarcoptes scabiei-Treatment and Prevention
MCLs, eprinomectin approved for lactating dairy cattle
MUST be reported to authorities
Chorioptes bovis-Common Name
Chorioptic mange mite
Chorioptes bovis-Hosts
Cattle, small ruminants, equids
Chorioptes bovis-Identification
Rounded mouthparts, sucker shape at end of stalks
Chorioptes bovis-Life Cycle
ELNA
Non-burrowing, feeds on skin surface and epithelial debris, Female lives 4-6wks and lays about 90 eggs
Chorioptes bovis-Site of Infection
Tailhead, udder and legs
Chorioptes bovis-Pathogenesis and Lesions/Clinical Signs
Late winter, mild condition
Damages hides
Chorioptes bovis-Diagnosis
Skin scraping
Chorioptes bovis-Treatment and Prevention
MCLs in lactating dairy cattle
Standard louse treatments
